Generation Gap
21
Dadashri : That is because he continues to assert his
authority as a father. This is wrong. The belief of fatherhood in
itself is false. The belief that one is a husband is also wrong.
Questioner : Moreover, the father will assert his fatherhood
by telling his children that he is their father and they should respect
that fact.
Dadashri : I overheard a man yelling at his child, “Don’t
you know, I am your father?” What sort of a madman says such
a thing? Does he even need to say that? The whole world knows
this, so why does he need to repeat it?
Questioner : I have also heard children say to their parents,
“Who told you to bring us into this world?”
Dadashri : How can parents hold up their heads when
their children talk to them this way?
(P.107)
WIN THEM OVER WITH LOVE
Questioner : When they make mistakes, should we not
caution them?
Dadashri : All you have to ask them is whether or not
they have thought about what they are doing and does it seem
right to them. If they say no, then you can ask them why they
continue to do so. They are capable of judgment and
understanding. They instinctively know when they do something
wrong. But when you start to criticize them, they will rebel and
become indignant.
(P.110)
Speak in such a way that the other person’s ego does not
arise. When you speak to your children, do not use an authoritative
tone. When I speak to people, their ego is not stirred because my
speech is free from ego that uses a commanding tone. (P.111)